Dorchester Reporter “The News and Values Around the Neighborhood” Volume 31 Issue 28 Thursday, July 10, 2014 50¢ Charter school wants to buy T lot in Mattapan Square and move there By Lauren Dezenski focus of previous, unsuccessful reporter staff efforts by the MBTA to find A Hyde Park-based charter private partners who would school is in talks to buy an buy or lease the property for MBTA parking lot in Mat- redevelopment. In 2007, the tapan Square and build a new T used an agent to issue a school next to the T trolley and Request for Proposals (RFP), bus station along River Street. which yielded interest from While the $1.5 million sale to just one – a community devel- Boston Preparatory Charter opment corporation. But that Public School, if executed, proposal fell through when would fill the space at an the real estate market took often half-empty parking lot a nose dive in 2008. A second Dorchester House President and CEO Walter Ramos is shown, left, with Head Lifeguard Dirk with a new building, it would RFP was issued in 2012, but Bovell next to the pool facility which re-opened this week at the Dot House after a $600,000 also squelch earlier hopes no bids were received. renovation project. Photo by Bill Forry for using the state-owned MBTA spokesman Joe Pe- land as the anchor for a saturo said this week that the mixed-use, transit-oriented charter school approached the Dorchester House makes development – something that MBTA last year “to express state lawmakers say should interest in the property.” remain the top priority for “The school’s plans for the the site. site have been thoroughly a splash with its new pool The 1.75-acre parcel on examined by MBTA per- River Street has been the (Continued on page 17) By BiLL forry “It was a 40-year-old pool, ability to get to the Cape or to eDitor but you look at it now and [use] other facilities that have After a year-long renovation you’d think it was brand a high cost.” project, the Dorchester House new,” said Ramos. “It’s really The pool is also in high Multi-Service Center has part of our history. The pool demand among the neighbor- re-opened its swimming pool, and fitness center are part of hood’s seniors, who use it in the just in time to serve hundreds our roots in terms of provid- morning, and adult members of kids and adults clamoring ing recreational and fitness of the fitness center, which is a for a cool-off spot. opportunities for low- and popular and affordable option The pool renovation project moderate-income kids in the on Dot Ave. Annual member- cost Dot House some $600,000 neighborhood. This is a real ships start at $62 for a senior – but President & CEO Walter outlet for many children, citizen, $75 for youth (16 and J. Ramos says it was worth especially in the summertime, under), $155 for a single adult, every penny. when they may not have the (Continued on page 15) July 4 goal for top A ten-day red light for Morton St. next month cop: ‘Making sure By Lauren Dezenski person Amanda Richard. reporter staff “The plan has been modified For ten days next month – several times in response to nobody gets shot’ from Aug. 8 to Aug. 17 – the public input. At the meeting By BiLL forry making sure this weekend well-traveled section of Mor- Thursday night, construction eDitor is a safe one,” Evans told ton Street above the railroad staff and the contractor will Boston’s police commis- the Reporter on Thursday tracks and near the Norfolk present the final details of sioner had his hands full last morning. Street intersection will be traffic control for the detour.” Thursday with last-minute Unfortunately, there was a closed to traffic as the state The construction of the logistics for that night’s big double-shooting on Lawrence lays in place a new Morton bridge deck itself will begin celebration along the Charles Avenue on July 5. One person Street bridge. While rerouting before the road closure at River, which had been moved was in serious condition after plans for buses are known, the former site of the Morton up one day due to a forecast an unknown gunman fired Boston Police Commissioner transportation officials will (Continued on page 11) of inclement weather on into an outdoor barbeque that William Evans: Deploying present the detour details for Independence Day. But Wil- stretched into Sunday morn- more cops into Dorchester, all residents, businesses, and liam Evans remained focused ing. Another person suffered Mattapan travelers at a meeting tonight on his chief goal for the a less serious wound the next comparison we had a good (July 10) at 6 o’clock at the holiday weekend: “Making day, Sunday. weekend.” Economy Plumbing site at 875 sure nobody gets shot.” “We had three people shot Evans is loath to compare Morton St. “We’ll have a lot of officers over the four-day weekend,” his city’s experience to that “These questions are of con- deployed tonight on the Espla- Evans said on Tuesday. “Three of other cities, especially tinued concern for the public nade to assist the State Police, always concerns us, but com- Chicago, which has a popula- and have been discussed at but honestly, our priority is pared to last year when we tion nearly four times the size the several public meetings of Boston’s. But after a hellish All contents copyright the neighborhoods and we’re had 12 shot over the weekend, and hearings over the last few © 2014 Boston putting a lot of resources into or the 22 shot in 2011, by (Continued on page 5) years,” said MassDOT spokes- Neighborhood News, Inc. Page 2 THE REPORTER July 10, 2014 DOT BY THE DAY Police, July 10 – 18, 2014 Courts A snapshot look at key upcoming events in and around the neighborhood for your weekly planner. & Fire Thursday (10th) – Drop-in Youth Sports Nights Gang of kids start this week, 5-8p.m. at White Stadium Basketball Courts. Pick-up basketball, flag football, kickball, beat couple near and hula hoops. Free barbecue, face painting for Four Corners children - come play! Teens and families welcome. A man and woman Every Thursday through mid-August. waiting for a bus at Friday (11th) – The Adams Street Library will Washington and Erie move its Friday Morning Story Time series to streets were surrounded Hemenway Park for the summer, beginning today by up to 15 boys and at 10 a.m. The hour-long program is open to all ages girls ages 13 to 16 who and includes stories, songs, games and more. Call began beating them 617-436-6900 for more info. … Stop by the Lower when they resisted a Mills Library for Disney Morning Movies on Fridays robbery attempt around at 10:30 a.m. starting this week through August 29. 9:30 p.m. on Monday. In Come enjoy animated films starring some of your a statement, police said favorite Disney characters. Today’s film is the classic the two were waiting for Snow White. All the Frozen fans will have to wait a bus, when a girl came for the finale on Aug. 29. The library is located at up to the woman and 27 Richmond St. Call 617-298-7841 for more info. kicked her. The victims Sunday (13th) – Ronan Park Clean-Up will be were then surrounded by held from 11a.m.-1p.m. Meet with your friends and a group of approximately neighbors and help to beautify the neighborhood. 10-15 individuals and a All clean-up materials will be provided. Pot-luck male suspect grabbed refreshments to follow sponsored by the Friends of The Dorchester South Burying Ground. Bill Forry photo her purse and stole Ronan Park. several items from it. Tuesday (15th) – The Elma Lewis Playhouse The male victim was in Franklin Park series Dorchester Ave. cemetery assaulted when he at- begins today at 11 a.m. tempted to intervene. with a Children’s show Police say officers featuring dance by Origi- nominated for Historic Registry quickly found nine of Nation. Later, at 5 p.m., the alleged attackers, it can be spotted by its significant burial place the evening show begins By Jeanette origeL but officers had to radio slate headstone carved that contains the graves with Athene Wilson, well- speciaL to the reporter for reinforcements when with the willow-and- of nearly 2,000 Dorches- known jazz vocalist. The Dorchester South other teens returned urn motif typical of the ter residents.” Playhouse is located next Burying Ground has and tried to break one of period. In the 1980s, the city of to the big ballfields be- been approved by the those arrested teens out In 1835, site improve- Boston created the His- tween White Stadium and Massachusetts His- of the cruiser about to ments were made by the torical Burial Grounds the Giraffe Entrance to the torical Commission bring her to the B-3 sta- burial ground commit- Initiative because the Zoo. Series continues every for nomination to the tion for booking. Police tee. The improvements older burial grounds Tuesday through August National Register of say that during booking, Athene Wilson were characteristic of were in disrepair. This 5th. Free! Historic Places. The one of the females spat in the new garden- style led to restorations of Town Field in Fields Corner hosts The Boston two- acre, city-owned an officer’s face.